Montague Ski Lodge

Today was our office Christmas party - we were at the Montague Ski Lodge, and only had it booked till 5; I was assured that the tradition - with some - is to follow on to a pub after, and it can run quite late.

Behold, they finally erected a tree inside our building! An imposing thing it is, too. I joined the others waiting in the lobby, and when everyone had arrived that was likely to, we set off.. by Tube. Doh, Well, what can you do? It wasn't too crowded in the middle of the day, and at least we got there quickly. Well, almost there - we made a pitstop at The Ship Tavern, where we had a couple to get us going. It's a lovely pub - down back alleys, and nice and discreet, with partitions. And well-decorated for Christmas:

And so to the party - in punishing wind. These blasts were courtesy of Storm Brendan - well, related to it, even if we didn't get the full brunt. It was truly a relief to get to the "ski lodge" - which turns out to be part of a hotel. We had three rooms to the side - one a mock ski chalet, reached by a covered hallway that is kind of external: one where the main bar was, and another with more chairs, which could also be used for serving. And I have to say, it was excellent.. we started with mulled wine, which I had two mugs of, even though I don't normally care for it. And afterwards, every time we turned around, we were presented with more trays of food, and the bar was unlimited. Well now..! The food was excellent, there were vegetarian and vegan options, and the repast finished with boxes of chocolates, just left temptingly about. Which I finished for them, of course..

The activities were also well-thought out, with a tinfoil decoration competition, and a quiz about Christmas movies, represented by emojis! Gotta give credit where it's due - our office managers played a storm, also booking space in local pub The Swan for us. 

The group I was with there wasn't as entertaining, and I only stayed for one - and then had to walk past the stop that Google Maps recommended for my second bus to get home, because gee, it doesn't take passengers on there! I've pointed this out to them. Anyway, glad to get home early, in this intemperate weather. Lo, to tempt people into the office tomorrow, they're serving breakfast! And as part of the Magic Breakfast initiative, for everyone who has breakfast at the office, they're donating a breakfast to a child in need. Aww.

Having lunch with Henning tomorrow - venue TBD - and must remember to pick up my package from the Amazon locker in One New Change. Tomorrow evening, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for Cyrano de Bergerac, at the Playhouse. Stars James McAvoy. Popular event this, I see.

On Thursday and Friday, Meetup has given me ideas, which I'm using to do things outside of Meetup. On Thursday, London Social Detours is charging £3 to go to a talk about Oscar Wilde's London. I booked myself - for free - on Eventbrite; I don't find her group that friendly, to be honest, but the talk sounds interesting.

On Friday, Ken's Walks and Social Events (and its sister group, London Art, Comedy & Walks) are on a Christmas lights tour. Now, after past experience with the walks organised by this group, I'll never darken their doors again. However, a Christmas lights walk sounded good - and I didn't get to one at all last year! So I had a browse - and came up with a pay-what-you-want walk by Free Tours by Foot London. Starts in Covent Garden - and the handy thing is, we're to clear our stuff out of our old office that day, and hand in our passes before the receptionist goes home. Which means we have been told to finish at 4! Excellent - that gives me loads of time. Ivan is coming to this one - which means it'll probably be a late night.

On Saturday, headed with UITCS to the Orange Tree, for Candida, by Shaw. Unless I get sidetracked.

On Sunday, my last visit of the year to the Crick Crack Club - Emily Hennessy is telling the Ramayana at the British Museum. Oh, and I'd completely forgotten that was on when I booked with North London Friends for a carol concert at St. James' Muswell Hill, followed by drinks at the John Baird. Sounds lovely - but I doubt I'll make both. We shall see - with such a huge group going, I doubt I'd be missed. Then I fly back to Ireland for Christmas on Monday.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

..and I'm off again next month, flying back to London on the 5th. On the 6th, I shall start as I mean to go on, with UITCS at the Almeida for the Duchess of Malfi.

On the 7th, I'm off to the Opera House, for the Royal Ballet's production of Coppélia - one I've never seen.

And on the 8th, the RSC's production of Measure for Measure, at the Barbican. Set in decadent 1900s Vienna.